A youngster who plays golf out of Brocket Hall has lifted what is known as the unofficial major of junior golf.

St Albans' Sophia Fullbrook, who began playing with Redbourn and Harpenden Common before moving to the Melbourne Club, took the girls title at the Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Golf Championship.

Held at Quinta do Lago in Portugal, there was 24 boys and girls competing across 54 holes.

And despite threats of a late comeback from a number of high-quality opponents, Fullbrook and fellow 17-year-old Dylan Shaw-Radford held on for victory.

Fullbrook had established a strong lead after two rounds and held her nerve to win by two strokes.

Shaw-Radford of Huddersfield Golf Club also won by two, demonstrating remarkable consistency with scores of 69, 69 and 70.

Over 17,000 entrants were narrowed down through qualifying to the 24 finalists, including reigning boys' champion Harley Smith.

With a plethora of experienced competitors in the field, it came as no surprise that both Fullbrook and Shaw-Radford needed to keep their focus until the final hole to ensure their respective victories in the Algarve.

Seventeen-year-old Jack Lee, of Rochester & Cobham Park, came closest to knocking Shaw-Radford from his perch with an exceptional round of 68 on the second day.

Meanwhile, the finest individual performance of the tournament came from 15-year-old Amelia Wan, of Nottinghamshire.

Her stunning opening seven-under-par round of 65 made Wan the early favourite to top the girls' division.

However, the prestige of Fullbrook and second-placed Rebekah Gardner, of Clandeboye, eventually told and saw Wan slip to third.

Fullbrook said: "I guess we both held commanding leads and only made sure of it on the 18th but that is testament to the strength of the fields.

"I am very pleased, as well as being relieved, and I am sure Dylan is too."

Shaw-Radford said: "This means a great deal. Just look down the names who have won it: Justin Rose himself, Andrew Coltart and a fellow Yorkshireman in Matt Fiztpatrick, 10 years ago.

"What a way to finish 2022."

For more details on the Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Golf Championship, go to www.telegraph.co.uk/juniorgolf